First glance was that the lid and flip cap were made of heavy duty thick plastic, and there was no gaskets to lose. Still gunshy, from multiple mishaps of whey splatters on the kitchen cabinets, hardwood floor, or myself, I held it over the sink I gave it a whirl. The result: No leaks, everything was mixed, no chunks. Perfect! But how long would it last? Well it has been apprx 8 months with constant use, and it still performs like the day it arrived on my doorstep. I have since bought another one and have them both in constant rotation. The stainless steel blender ball works like a champ, no chunks, although it does sound like you are shaking a spray paint can when you are shaking it, but a small price to pay in my book.

I have had discussions with many a cyclist and runner in the Fox Valley area on the frustrations of having a mile long strip of the Fox River Bike Path closed due to construction at the new Stearns Road bridge. The closure effectively isolates me in South Elgin with no viable detour around the site and the fact that there is another large section of trail closed less than 2 miles north of South Elgin. Little did I know the wormhole goes MUCH deeper.

If you’ve been watching the Tour De France you may have noticed yellow messages of hope written on the course ahead of the riders. These are messages written by the Livestrong Chalkbot. The messages themselves are composed by people on Chalkbot’s Twitter or text message all over the world. The inspirational messages are of hope and remembrance for those effected by cancer.

Two Fox Valley residents, Aaron Drendel and Jake Mullins, from Batavia, IL are paddling the length of the Mississippi River in their canoe to raise money and awareness for Breast Cancer. As of the day I’m writing this they have travelled 1494 miles down the river after starting at the head waters of Lake Itasca, MN. The total for their planned trip is 2,320mi.

Our group was small but mighty this year at the 41st Annual Swedish Days Ride organized by The Fox Valley Bicycle & Ski Club in Hampshire, IL near Burlington, IL. The weather report was questionable, but we decided to go give it a try. As it turns out we’d face a number of weather variables including driving rain, thunder & lightning, more rain, then high winds, and finally blazing sun as we ran the ride course.

Sometimes to move a mountain, you have to climb one. I read this Daily Herald article today with great interest. A local private practice surgeon specializing in Breast Cancer, Bob Maganini, will be riding his bike 1,000 plus miles to the base of Pike’s Peak in Colorado, where he will put down the bike and hike to the 14,000ft summit.

This video is one of those amazing stories. My family had the honor to be at the Inspirational Dinner for Team in Training before the Elkhart Lake Triathlon when the story of Lauryn, who has Leukemia and her grandfather, Tom Rushworth was featured. Tom ran the Olympic Distance Triathlon at Elkhart lake to “honor his personal hero” and granddaughter, Lauryn. His story was featured on the news in Indianapolis. Tom is a member of the Indiana Team in Training Chapter.

Just got an email on a Chicagoland ride this weekend in the near western burb of Westchester, IL. They offer a couple different ride lengths, 12, 25, and 50 miles. The 25 and half century goes around Waterfall Glen Forest Preserve, which is beautiful. There are a number of well stocked rest stops on every length and Paul’s Pizza at the finish line. Any ride with pizza at the end is a good ride. Coffee and juice at the start, as well. Get out and Ride!!!

Huge congratulations are in order for Abbe Burke, my most frequent training partner and toughest race competition. She also happens to be my mother. At the Elkhart Lake Triathlon she achieved two huge milestones.